Critical wildfire danger predicted for West Texas

the Midland Reporter-Telegram

Published 6:00 pm, Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Texas Forest Service is warning citizens across the state of what it describes as heightened wildfire danger caused by a combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity values and dry vegetation expected today.

Most of the area west of the Interstate 35 corridor, which includes the Permian Basin, is included in the warning, according to a release from the Texas Forest Service.

If a fire were to start in these dry conditions, according to the release, it could exceed control of local resources and therefore pose a threat to people or property.

Citizens are urged to take caution and not participate in welding or any other risky outdoor activities. The Forest Service asks those disposing of cigarettes not to throw them outside. In Texas, according to the release, 95 percent of wildfires are started by people.

In the Midland area, winds are expected between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph today with highs in the 70s, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday gusts may reach up to 35 mph.

Since the beginning of the winter 2009 wildfire season, which began on January 22, 2009, TFS has responded along with local fire departments to 186 wildfires covering 30,009 acres, according to the release. During the same period, local fire departments have reported an additional 1,255 wildfires covering 25,191 acres, according to an online database managed by TFS.